Virginia Eliminating Backlog in AIDS Drug Program

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Virginia Department of Health says it is eliminating a patient backlog in its AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides HIV-related medication for low-income people.

The department says those currently on a waiting list will be enrolled in the program and be receiving their medications by Sept. 30.

The program experienced a funding shortfall in November 2010 and was unable to meet medication demands for its clients. The department says the program had experienced unprecedented growth due to factors such as unemployment and loss of insurance, new treatment guidelines, new medications and expanded testing efforts.

Health Commissioner Karen Remley says the program has since collaborated with medical providers, health departments and community partners to facilitate patients' access to medications.

The federal government covers the vast majority of the program's costs.